DCS to probe alleged prison assault on Magudumana

Magudumana

Cape Town — Nandipha Magudumana, the woman accused of helping convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester to escape from a Mangaung prison, was allegedly beaten by fellow inmates at the Kroonstad Correctional Centre this weekend.

Magudumana’s lawyer, advocate Machini Motloung, is now demanding that she be moved to a another prison cell for her own safety. It is believed that Magudumana reached out to Motloung to say she had been assaulted in the cells of the prison, after she had received several threats from the inmates implicated in the assault, The Citizen reported.

The assault was allegedly triggered by Magudumana taking part in a singing and prayer session with other inmates, a sangoma and another mentally ill inmate. Motloung said Magudumana apparently nursed several bruises and was “in pain”.

According to SABC News, Motloung said the delay in implicating the two inmates was a violation of Magudumana’s rights.

“The lawyer says the conditions she is subjected to at the Correctional Centre put her human rights into question. He says the first assault was when officials from the prison forcefully hurled her to the Bloemfontein magistrate’s court for one of her appearances and in the process assaulted her.” he said.

In response to Magudumana’s claims, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) said a probe was under way to investigate the incident, according to a DCS statement.

“DCS is investigating the circumstances following what was said to be a prayer meeting in a different cell from Magudamana’s. Reports of an alleged altercation and a push against the grills can be confirmed. Furthermore, DCS Healthcare officials conducted an examination on her and found no visible injuries,” said DCS spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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